Dec. 7 polls: 28 women elected as MPs

The anxiety and uncertain clouds that surrounded the gains of female aspirants in the December polls can now be assuaged as 28 women from nine regions have so far successfully sailed through the just ended keenly contested parliamentary elections.

Subsequently Ghana’s next parliament is set to have more women especially as few parliamentary results are yet to be declared. The 133 women who contested in this year’s parliamentary elections represent a 30% increase in that of 2008, and the highest number of women who have contested parliamentary seats in Ghana’s political history.

Out of the 133 women aspirants, Greater Accra region fielded the highest number of 34, followed by Ashanti and Central regions which fielded 26 and 15 respectively. The rest are western and Eastern, Volta, Northern, Upper East and West which fielded 12, 10, 7, 6 and 5 women respectively. The Upper West is so far the only region that has no female representation in Parliament.

The reason for Greater Accra’s high number is not surprising. It is the capital, cosmopolitan in nature and has relatively more educated people.

The region has also benefited from the activities of Civil Society Organizations which has resulted in creating an informed and cognizant women population with divergent views.

Even though some western regional MPs like NPP’s Catherine Afeku and Samia Yaaba Nkrumah of the CPP were casualties, some veterans managed to cling onto their seats.

It is expected that the new faces like former DCE of Sissala East Alijata Sulemana, Works and Housing Deputy Minister, Hannah Bissue, Ursula Owusu who have distinguished themselves in their respective carriers together with the 'veterans, 'would advance the cause of women.